Master of Ceremonies: 

Comedian Joe Kwaczala

Joe Kwaczala is a Los Angeles-based comedian who began his career in Chicago and grew up in Pittsburgh. He has performed as one of Comedy Central’s “Up Next” Comics to Watch, made his television debut with a Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents half-hour special, and released the special Recommended Based on Your Search History with Helium Comedy Studios. His debut album Funny Songs and Sketches reached #1 on the iTunes comedy charts, followed by a holiday EP, Funny Christmas Songs. Joe gained recognition for releasing 31 videos in one day, with sketches compiled into the pilot Kwaczala, which won “Best Late Night Series” at Seriesfest 2019. His online videos have accumulated over 70 million views.

Fine Dining by: 

Chef Shadee of Foodheadz

Chef Shadee’s passion for food began with his mother’s homemade cooking, leading him to culinary school and nearly a decade in professional kitchens around South Philadelphia, Center City, and the Main Line areas. He has worked in renowned restaurants like Zama, Bud & Marilyn’s, Barbuzzo, Little Nonna’s, White Dog Cafe, and Mica. Now, through his company Foodheadz, Chef Shadee showcases his talents with cooking classes, private dinners, pop-ups, and catering events. Follow him at @chefshadee and @foodheadzphilly.

Stand-up Comedian: 

Dana Eagle

Dana’s sharp comedy and masterful improv make her a captivating entertainer. She has appeared on The Late Late Show, Comedy Central, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and Comics Unleashed. Dana has performed for troops in Iraq and authored the book How To Be Depressed: A Guide, released in four languages. She appeared in an ABC pilot with Jason Alexander and hosted programs on Comcast, Showtime NEXT, and E! Entertainment. A long-time supporter of Painted Brain, we are thrilled to welcome her back to the stage!

Musical Performance by: 

Al Holbrook

“International musician of mystery,” Al Holbrook, whose soulful voice and mastery across jazz, rock, blues, and beyond, will captivate and heal. Holbrook can weave a golden song from a piece of commonplace wheat, needing nothing but his voice to woo an audience or whisper a heart to a faster pace. He has filled South Seattle saloons, graced prestigious Los Angeles stages, and performed on giant ships across the world, earning him the title from American Songwriter Magazine. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Holbrook is a compelling storyteller with a gravel scratch voice like the sound of a family member coming up the drive, knowable only by close listeners. Fluent in jazz, rag, rock, blues, and old-time, he is a healer from his sonic pulpit, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and leaving audiences inspired and transformed.

Awardee: 

Khatera Tamplen

Public Health Advisor, SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery

Khatera Aslami Tamplen is an experienced professional in the field of mental health recovery, with over 20 years of service to the community. As a person in recovery, she also brings the lived experience of escaping the Afghan/Soviet War with her family at a young age as a refugee and growing up navigating public resources for their survival.  She was appointed to the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, representing clients/consumers from 2013 to 2023. Additionally, she was a member of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council, and was a founding member of the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations.

Awardee & Legacy Sponsor: 

Susan Gallagher, MPA

Executive Director, Cal Voices

Susan has been the Executive Director of Cal Voices, the oldest peer run advocacy organization in California for over 27 years. She has been the driving force behind the growth and development, transforming the agency into a Statewide peer run organization. Her own personal lived experience with a mental health disorder undergirds the program development and strategic implementation of the agency’s core mission and vision. She has led the agency from a small local peer led nonprofit to a dynamic fiscally sound nonprofit with an annual budget of nearly $5 million. Susan has demonstrated proven success implementing both small and large-scale peer programming projects. Her leadership has been instrumental in ensuring California recognizes the civil rights and specific needs of behavioral health clients throughout its system of care. Her advocacy efforts focus on elevating the roles of those most impacted by behavioral health disorders in program and policy development.

Awardee: 

Vanessa Ramos

Advisor, Investigations Unit, Disability Rights California

Vanessa, a Los Angeles drug war survivor, serves as an advisor in the Investigations Unit at Disability Rights California, California’s Protection and Advocacy Agency. Her professional journey spans corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, drawing from personal experiences navigating ableist systems and her recovery journey. Vanessa focuses on community-defined actions, addressing issues like land theft, banishment of disabled individuals, and police violence. Trained in mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation through organizations like the Prison Yoga Project and the Peace Literacy Institute, she shares these tools across the state. Despite her impactful roles, Vanessa finds her greatest fulfillment as a mother. Based in Hollywood, CA, she cherishes inclusive art and green spaces, showcasing the creativity and power of disabled individuals.

Awardee:  

Leilani R. Hall, Ph.D., 

Director, Disability Studies Minor – Cal State Northridge

Leilani Hall, PhD., a Professor of English at California State University Northridge, helped design and currently directs the new Disability Studies Minor—the first of its kind in the CSU system. Professor Hall, who earned her doctorate in English, specializing in poetry, was among the first panel of writers to introduce Disability Studies to the Associated Writing Programs, and in 2005 taught the first course in Disability Studies at CSUN, where she was also faculty advisor to the (Dis)Ability Art Group. She is the recipient of the California Faculty Association Award for work in Disability Studies. Author of the poetry collection Swimming the Witch, Leilani Hall’s work has appeared in more than thirty journals and anthologies.

Awardee:

Roxanne Rankin, LMFT

Community Advocate

Roxanne exemplifies community advocacy and a life of service. After a successful career in the entertainment industry, she became a licensed therapist, helping individuals and families achieve their potential. Her passion for justice and mental health inspired her enduring support for Painted Brain, a beloved organization promoting awareness, understanding, and services for communities in need. Through her philanthropy, Roxanne has supported numerous nonprofits, creating transformative opportunities that strengthen communities and foster a more compassionate, values-driven society.

Executive Director: 

Rayshell Chambers, MPA

Rayshell Chambers was born to serve! With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, she has devoted her personal and professional life to acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to address the most complex public policy issues affecting the human condition.

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